On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Do you not consider, Mr. Speaker, that on a matter of such importance, where the Government have acted in a sadistic and vindictive fashion, the Prime Minister should be answering questions—

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. This is a serious issue that will deprive the people of my constituency of certain moneys. It is important that we should debate the issue rather than receiving a statement. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, not to accept the statement. Let us debate the issue so the kiddies in my area will realise what the Government are doing.

With permission, Mr. Speaker, I shall make a statement on the deduction made from benefit payable to the dependants of those involved in a trade dispute. In accordance with section 6(2) of the Social Security (No. 2) Act 1980, I today made an order stating that the specified sum under section 6(1)(b) of the Act will, with effect from 26 November 1984, be £16.

The specified sum is that amount by which the supplementary benefit provided for the
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dependants of people involved in a trade dispute is reduced. The uprating of the specified sum is a statutory requirement and—

I say to those hon. Members who are standing in front of the Table that this statement was specially asked for by the Opposition, and the House has a right to hear it. I ask those hon. Members, and those hon. Members who are standing by the Mace, please to resume their seats.